NC Recovery Groups Say FEMA Is ‘Obstacle’ in Helene Relief, Urge More Dollars

A year after Helene, state officials press for faster aid, fewer hurdles

On the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene hitting western North Carolina, there was a general consensus on one issue surrounding the recovery efforts from the storm at a Joint Legislative Governmental Operations Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s bureaucracy has been a hindrance, not a help. “Our biggest obstacle moving forward is the lack of clarity and consistent guidance from FEMA,” said Ave…

Roads, infrastructure take a huge hit from Helene

Across Northeast Tennessee, the largest infrastructure expenses and projects have ended up being repairing roads and bridges that total tens of millions of dollars.

Bottlenecks preventing federal Helene relief dollars from reaching those with damaged homes

Multiple levels of federal screening and approvals are slowing flow of aid for damaged homes and other NC Helene relief to a trickle. Bottlenecks preventing federal Helene relief dollars from reaching those with damaged homes is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million resi…

NC recovery groups say FEMA is ‘obstacle’ in Helene relief, urge more dollars

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – One year after Hurricane Helene, recovery hasn’t stopped. The toll is physical and emotional. “The grieving is still heavy in these communities, and the trigger will be this weekend on the anniversary when people will reflect on what’s happening,” Luther Harrison with Samaritan’s Purse said. There’s also a major financial toll. “Our biggest obstacle is the lack of clarity and consistent guidance from FEMA; every time we ge…

Hurricane Helene recovery hearing highlights delays, uncertainty in federal aid

As the recovery effort continues nearly one year after Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, state leaders said that almost 75% of the region’s $59.6 billion total estimated financial need is unfunded. During a Hurricane Response and Recovery Subcommittee hearing at the General Assembly on Wednesday, state and local government officials detailed holdups with federal funding and attributed delays to the Federal Emergency Management Agency …

County ‘in precarious position’ as it awaits FEMA reimbursement - Hendersonville Lightning

Bill Lapsley was wary when he was first presented with a contract that state officials said Henderson County had to sign in order to get reimbursed for Hurricane Helene debris removal. Back last January, everyone knew that the job would cost tens of millions of dollars.